"There is insufficient funding in the healthcare sector and the GDP in healthcare is at a dismal rate of 1.2 pc. The out-of-pocket expenditure is one of the highest for our country and every year over 3.3 per cent of people are pushed below poverty line due to expenditure on health," said Dr Santanu Sen, the national president of IMA.

"In order to improve the overall healthcare sector and cope with the out-of-pocket expenses, the GDP must be increased to at least 5 per cent," he said.

The IMA will soon launch a countrywide 'Health First' campaign to propagate the manifesto among the candidates, political parties and the public.

The local units of IMA will conduct public meetings and seminars in which the candidates for the Lok Sabha elections will also be invited.